Regression of fundic gland polyps following acquisition of Helicobacter pylori

Gut. 2002 Nov;51(5):742-5. doi: 10.1136/gut.51.5.742.

Abstract

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection is very low in patients with fundic gland polyps (FGPs) of the stomach. We report here two cases with multiple FGPs that regressed following new H pylori acquisition. Patient Nos I and II had multiple FGPs in normal fundic mucosa without inflammatory changes or atrophy. Both were not infected with H pylori. Following acquisition of H pylori infection however, all FGPs in both patients completely disappeared except for one FGP in patient No I. Although the size of the remaining polyp in patient No I was greatly reduced after H pylori acquisition, it became enlarged again after eradication. Interestingly, in the remaining polyp, we found an activating beta-catenin gene mutation whereas no such mutations were detected in FGPs of patient No II. Thus H pylori infection may have an inhibitory effect on the development of FGPs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Female
  • Gastric Fundus
  • Gastritis / microbiology*
  • Gastritis / pathology
  • Helicobacter Infections* / pathology
  • Helicobacter pylori*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous* / genetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polyps / genetics
  • Polyps / microbiology*
  • Polyps / pathology
  • Stomach Neoplasms / genetics
  • Stomach Neoplasms / microbiology*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • beta Catenin

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • beta Catenin